[613 W. Lacy]

Description

Photograph of the front and west side of a service station located at 613 W. Lacy in Palestine, Texas. It has a steeply-pitched, cross-gabled roof that is suggestive of the Tudor Revival style. There are three gas pumps in front of the building and a small garage to the right. Several vehicles are parked near the garage and station.

Provided By

Palestine Public Library

Located in Anderson County, the Palestine Public Library provides access to information and various programs for the community's benefit. They received a Rescuing Texas History grant to aid in digitization of select materials, including photos taken during a Historic Resources Study in 1991.

Titles

Description

Photograph of the front and west side of a service station located at 613 W. Lacy in Palestine, Texas. It has a steeply-pitched, cross-gabled roof that is suggestive of the Tudor Revival style. There are three gas pumps in front of the building and a small garage to the right. Several vehicles are parked near the garage and station.

Physical Description

1 photograph : positive, col. ; 35 mm.

Notes

Photograph of 613 W. Lacy taken from the road. Photo was taken for the Historic Resources Survey of Palestine, Texas 1989-1991. Increased use of the automobile during the 1920s resulted in the proliferation of a new type of building, the service station, which catered exclusively to the needs of car owners. This structure, one of only two historic service stations in Palestine, is indicative of this trend. The property has a steeply pitched cross-gabled roof that is suggestive of the Tudor Revival style. Some modifications have been made to the building, but overall, it retains its historic character and integrity. Service stations such as this were rare in Palestine in the early 20th century; the 1925-26 city directory lists only one. The late 1920s and early 1930s saw a dramatic increase, however; the 1935-36 directory lists 31 stations. This building was constructed during the period of rapid growth. Based on city directory research, the earliest known business to occupy this building was Ritchey’s Service Station, which was located here in the early 1930s. Around 1935, the station was operated by the Louisiana Oil Refining Company, but by 1937 the Arkansas Fuel Oil Company was in business here. In the early 1940s this was the Cities Service Station.

Taken from: Historic Resources Survey of Palestine, Texas: An Inventory for The City of Palestine, Volume IV, Color Slides, June 1991